The 'Benevolent Sexism' at Christian Colleges

A new study finds that women faculty say they're undermined and passed over for advancement because of their gender. But they're happier than they'd be at secular schools.

Interview by Karen Swallow Prior/ November 9, 2012

The 'Benevolent Sexism' at Christian Colleges

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The 'Benevolent Sexism' at Christian Colleges

The 'Benevolent Sexism' at Christian Colleges

A new study finds that women faculty say they're undermined and passed over for advancement because of their gender. But they're happier than they'd be at secular schools.

Interview by Karen Swallow Prior/ November 9, 2012

Women at an evangelical college face a wider gender gap than their counterparts at a secular institution, according to a new study published in Religion and Education. But they're also more satisfied in their jobs than women at secular schools.

Benevolent sexism refers to sexism that is not overtly hostile. In fact, it is often in the context of warm, friendly personal relationships between men and women. This type of sexism undermines opportunities for women through emphasizing the nurturing role of women (particularly in raising children) and the male role as protector of and provider for women.

Many women faculty on the evangelical campus in the study reported feeling undermined at work by implicit assumptions that they should be home with their children, or that the qualities that are valued in academia—intelligence, assertiveness, and confidence—are not traits appropriate for Christian women.

So while women at this university generally report warm friendly relationships with male faculty and students, they also feel limited support for their professional achievement because of traditional gender assumptions. ...

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